Liquid-dispensing apparatus



Nov. 22, 1927.

J. L. PATTERSON LIQUID DISPENSING APPARATUS I1/wanton 2.A

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l l 33H1 i A Y touwqi Patented. N Ov. 22, 1927.

UNITED STATES ,PATENT OFFICE.

.IOHN I.. APATTERSON, OF'RICHMONIJ, VIRGINIA, AssIGNOR ro RICHMOND BEVERAGE MACHINE CORPORATION, on RICHMOND, VIRGINIA, A CORPORATION OF VIRGINIA.

LIQUID-DISPENSIG APPARATUS.

Application led September 3, 1924. Y Serial-No. 735,613.

This invention pertains to Acoin-controlled apparatus or machines for delivering cups or receptacles and dispensing beverages, and more particularly to such as effect the measurement and commingling of the water, gas, and syrup within the machine, and their delivery therefrom as a beverage.

rIhe machine comprises, first, amagazine for cups, and means for delivering a single cup at a time in response to introduction of an appropriate coin or token and actuation of .an operating lever; secondly, tanks or containers for water, carbonio acid gas, and a syrup or syrups; and third, means for releasing measured charges of water, gas,

and syrup, and causing them to issue from a discharge nozzle upon actuation of the operating lever, and to be intimately commingledto form a carbonated beverage.

The invention consists in a novel construction and arrangement of parts hereinafter fully set forth, whereby the several opera,

tions are easily and accurately performed in all respects, and a cup and a filling charge therefor, delivered when a coin or token ofproper character is. introduced and the actuating lever is depressed. v The mechanism is mounted within a casing or cabinet designed to enclose and adequately protect it, and from which the working parts may be readily removed for inspection, cleaning, repair, or replacement.

Prior to this invention numerous coin- -controlled machines have been devised and patented,A having for their object the delivery or vending of different commodities, liquid or solid, upon the introduction of a suitable coin or token, and in some cases it has been proposed to deliver both a cup or container and a liquid filling or charge therefor. In some instances, the weight of the coin, or its impact in falling, has been relied upon to actuate the mechanism, or to release a detent and permit operation by the stored power of springs or the like,'or the coin has been utilized to bring into action an electric motor to actuate the parts. In the practical use of prior machines it has been found diliicult, owing to various causes, to insure the delivery or dispensing of a drink of uniform quality or mixture, or accurately to measure and deliver a predetermined charge of each ingredient or component of the beverage. This invention is designed to insure accurate measurement of each of the constituents of the beverage, prompt and full delivery of each, and the complete filling and emptying ofthe chambers in which they' are measured; to elimi- 'nat'e `leakage of the different measuring chambersa-nd sticking or binding of Valves and moving parts, incident to their close vtting and packing; and to overcome other My improved machine is illustrated inl the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a front elevation of the containing case or cabinet with the front removed to `show the parts within it, the cooling coils and water-measuring cylinder being indicated by dotted lines;

Fig. 2, asimilar View at right angles to Fig. 1 but with the syrup tank and cooling chamber in section, showing the watermeasuring device and the cooling coils;

Fig. 3, an enlarged Sectionalview of the check valve and needle valve of the dashpot whereby the timing of movement of parts -is determined and controlled;

' Fig. 4, a view illustrating the main actuating lever, and showing the means for 1nsuring a full throw or completevmovement thereof in one direction before a reverse movement can be begun;

Fig. 5, a top plan view of the mechanism, the casing being shown in horizontal section taken in a plane just below the syrup tank and ice chamber;

Fig. 6, a vertical central section through one of the syrup-measuring cylinders;

l Fig. 7, a plan or face View of the metal top and bottom plates of the syrup-measuring cylinders, provided with annular V- shaped ribs which seat themselves in a packand `forward of the ice chamber metal frame 10 of carbonating tanks, showing also the valve by which communication is established between the carbonator and the gas container, and between the main water tank and the atmosphere, alternately, to permit delivery of a charge of gas to the carbonator and vent the water tank to the atmosphere, under a first adjustment of the valve, and to seal the tank to the atmosphereand introduce the gas thereto, under a second adjustment;

Fig. 9, a sectional View of the distributer or four-way valve by which opposite ends of the water-measuring device are alternately connected with the water supply pipe and with the discharge nozzle;

Fig. 10, a longitudinal sectional View of the gas valve;

Fig. 11, a perspective view of the gas valve proper, in normal adjustment, the passages with which it co-acts being indicated in dotted lines as pipes or tubes;

Fig. 12, a similar View but with the valve thrown to its second position;

Fig. 13, an elevation, partly in section, of the water-measuring cylinder and its piston; and

Fig. 14, a sectional view of the four-way distributer valve, taken at right-angles to Fig. 9v.

Referring first t'o Figs. 1, 2 and 5, it will be seen that the casing is formed of four upright or main supporting members l-of angle iron, tiedtogether at suitable intervals by similar but horizontally disposed angle iron bars 2, the walls 3 of sheet metal or other thin material being secured to the angle iron members by riveting or otherwise, and a door or doors being provided to give access to the mechanism. The horizontal angle irons serve to support floors or shelves 4 and 5, carrying certain portions of the mechanism as hereinafter explained, while the gas tank and carbonating cylinders may conveniently be placed in the base of the casing upon a Hoor similar to the shelves .4 and 5. The syrup tanks 6 ice chamber 7 are contained within one boX- like structure, but are separated one from` the other by a partition 8, as seen in Fig. 2. The ice box and syrup tanks may be constructed in any approved manner, but should be formed of or lined with porcelain or block tin, to insure proper sanitary conditions.

Space is left between the syrup tanks 6 7, for a stack 9 of nested paper cups, which are preferably contained within a vertical glass cylinder, resting at its lower end upon an annular a lcup-delivery device of suitable formand construction. rlhe details of this cup-delivery mechanism may vary; but a form is employed by which, upon the insertionl of a coin or token of proper value and and movement of an actuating lever, the lowermost cup is released and forced oif or freed from the one next above. The cup so released falls into a chute or guide 11, by

which it is directed to a point beneath the discharge nozzle 12, said chute being carried by floor 5 as seen in F ig. 2. The floor 4 has in the open space between the sirup tanks 6 and forward of the ice chamber 7, an opening to allow insertion of the cup stack 9 and, if used, of its containing and guiding glass cylinder, the lower end of which latter rests upon the annular frame 10 of the cup-delivery mechanism, here shown only in general outline and without the details of the successively-acting upper and lower slides by which delivery of cups is effected. The preferred form of cup-dispensing mechanism is shown and described in detail in application Serial No. 531,747, tiled January 25, 1922 in the joint names of M. F. Wooten, L. R. Bivins and R. M. Nicholas, and held in the same interest as .this application. It comprises upper vand lower radial slides which in alternation pass beneath and withdraw from under the rolled or flanged rims of the llowermost cup and of the cup next above it, so that one is released and delivered for each oscillation forward and back of a rotary actuating cam- .ring 10a carried by the annular framev 10.

The oscillation of the cam-ring is effected by either of two rollers 92 carried upon upright posts or studs 91 secured to and movable with rods 76, 77, when either rod is reciprocated, as later explained. The rollers bear against inclined faces or cams 92"carried by or movable with the actuating camring 10a, and thus impart partial rotation to the ring. Any equivalent means of actuating the cup release or delivery mechanism may be employed, and no claim is here made to such mechanism per se, but only to some form of cup delivery mechanism in combination with other mechanisms herein set forth.

It is important that the operative mechanism of the structure be readily accessible for examination, cleaning, repair, or replacement of parts, hence the main parts of such mechanism are .secured to, carried by, and insertible and removable with the floor or shelf 4, which is preferably a metallic plate of suitable stiffness to sustain the weight of the mechanism without bending or sagging'. To permit such insertion and removal, one flange of each angle iron corner post at the side atwhich such introduction and removal is to be effected, may be c'ut away or provided with an opening a in plane with and slightly wider than the thickness of the floor or plate 4, support 2 at that side being removable (see Fig. 5). Any similar construction whichwill permit withdrawal of the ioor or shelf may be adopted.

To the under side of said plate 4 are secured by bolts, screws, or other suitable fas# tenings, the base or framework of the cupdelivery mechanism, the supports forv the lever 29 and parts actuated thereby, the syrup-measuring and delivery devices, the carbonated-water distributer valve 27, the

mixing or delivery nozzle 12, and the pipes carried by it.

The carbonatz'ng apparatus.

As indicated in Fig. 1, a carbonatin apparatus is placed in the'lower part o the main casing, and comprises, as shown `diagrammatically in Fig. 8, a main water tank 14, and one or more smaller tanks-15, each provided with a series of foraminous diaphragms 16, the several tanks being connected one with another in series or sequence.

- The water tank 14 receives water at a point near its bottom by a pipe 17, communicating with an elevated reservoir or with a service main, as found convenient, said pipes being furnished with alcheck valve 18 seating -or closing toward the' source of supply, but opening under the head or pressure when the tank 14 is properlyvented to the atmosphere. From a point near the bottom of tank v14 a pipe 19'provided with a check valve 2O closing toward tank 14, extends to and enters the top of the nearest tank 15. Similarly, pipes21 extend from near the bottom of each tank 15 to and enter the top 'of the next succeeding tank 15, and finally, a pipe 22 extends from near the basev of the last tank 15 to the cooling coils 26, (see Fig. 1).

A gas valve 23 serves alternately to'permit gas .to flow from a container (see Fig. 8), to the first carbonating tank 15 and to .vent the water tank 14, and thereafter tol seal the water tank 14, eut o the gas from the carbonator tanks 15, and direct it into water tank 14. The venting of the water tank permits water from pipe 17 toA open. check valve 18 and to enter tank'14, toreplace the quantity discharged from said ltank into the carbonator tanks15 and finally delivered to and discharged from the nozzle 12. The check valve 20 seats or closes toward theI water tank 14,'hence closes when gas pressure Iis on theJ carbonator tanks 15, and water tank 14 is" vented to permitit to receive water, as just stated.

The carbonator illustrated is not claimed herein per se, not being broadly of my invention, but it is an important element -of 'I the complete apparatus, contributes ma-v Vterially to its eiiicient operation,- and will beclaimed in certain combinations -in which itis used. j -A Y f v .The gas valve 23 receives gas from a reser' voir, container, ori main b a pipe 24, and delivers it-by pipe 13 to t e water tank 14` when the latter is sealed tothe" atmosphere. When said tank 14 is vented by unsealin'g pipe 13 throughthe action of valve 23, the gas is delivered to thatcarbonator tank 15 which is next to and in immediate communi- -cation with tank 14. At such time checkl valve 20 between the tanks 14 and 15 is caused by the pressure of the gasin tank 15,' to close toward water tank 4, which then receives water Afrom supply pipe 17. In passing through tanks 15 both the gas and the water are broken up into a number otfine f streams, and caused to commingle and produce a uniformly carbonated liquid. The pressure oi the gas within the tanks serves to force the carbonated water by pipe 22 to the cooling coils 26, whence it passes to the d-istributer valve 27 and thencey to the watermeasuring cylinder, as will be later explained in detail. l

i Syrupmeaauring devices.

description of one will apply to both.

Fig. 5, and as they are alike in all respects,

30 or 31 indicates the outer cylinder or shell, the upper end of which is 'closed by an integral head, formed with a projecting flange or with ears to receive fastening bolts or screws 32 by which to secure it to the un der side of floor 4. Immediately below and in close Contact with the head of the cylinder isa fiat disk or gasket 33 ofl soute sui-table substance or material, such as cork, Vege-` table fiber, or the like, unaffected by and incapable of'injuriously affecting the syrups used, yet suiciently yielding to permit the embedding therein of annular V-shaped ribs 34, formed on a metallic disk 35 ittingwithin the cylinder 30'01' 31, and pressed Afirmly against the disk or gasket 33. The gasket tcylin'der 37,'and has a series of circular openings 38 to reglster with circular chambers 39 formed in and-extending from end to end of cylinder 37,` arall'el with its axis. As shown in Fi 8, e openingsl in disk 35 are oi.l

conica form, their lower boundaries being of,AA

the same diameter as the chambers 39, 4while their upper boundaries are of smaller diameter. A metallic disk 40 and gasket 41 of the same form and character as disk 35 and gasket 33, andi` similarly held against turning constitute the lower closure and packing ot cylinder 3 r 3l, the V-shaped ribsot each metal 'disk serving to embed themselves into the contacting gasket and so to prevent cntrance or passage ot' syrup between them, and serving further to make a liquid-ti ht joint of the gasket with the outer cylin er or 31 by slightly expanding' the gasket at its periphery.

Each syrup tank 6 communicates by an outlet or passage 42 with the syrup cell or chamber olf cylinder 37 at thetii. e directly below it, and a like outlet 43 at the lower end of the cylinder which registers with a nipple 4 4, permits escape of syrup from another such cell or chamber. The inlet and outlet openings 42 and 43 are, for the purpose of showing both inlet and outlet in the one ligure, here shown as on diametrically opposite sides of the cylinder axis, and as there are four chambers or cells 39 in the cylinder 37, one chamber will receive its charge at the same time that another is de liver-ing its charge,and with the inlets and outlets in 180 degree relation, an intermediate, chamber would at such time be full and ready to @move to the discharging position and to begin its discharge simultaneously with commencement of the filling of the chamber at the same time reaching the lilling position. 'ln practice, however, the inlet and outlet openings are placed in 90 degree relation, to the end that each charge ot syrup shall be received/in cooled condition directly v'as from the syrup tank, immediately prior'to its discharge from the measuring cylinder 39.`

To permit the charge of syrup to leave the chamber 39 "promptly and completely when said chamber registers with the outletopen ing, a vent passage 39 in vertical alinement with discharge nipple 44 is :tormed in the head of the outer cylinder 3f or 3l.

Mention has been made of the Haring or conoidal form of the openings through disks 35 and 40, the purpose ot which is to facilitate the complete tilling and complete discharge of the chambers. lt is desirable to make v4the filling and discharge openings smaller in vdiameter than the chambers `39; but it has been found in practice that it the openings be smaller than the chambers .alld

of like diameter throughout, air will colletjt' or be pocketed inthe angles where the disks and cylinders meet and 'will prevent the complete filling and the proper or promptemptyv ingvof thechambers. By the construction de-A scribed. prompt and complete filling and" emptying of the chambers 39 is insured, and uniform syrup charges are assured.

Each inner cylinder 37 isy formed or turnished with a downwardly extending stem 45 concentric with the axis of the cylinder, and serving to carry a ratchet disk 46 made fast maaier thereto in any convenient way, set screw 46 being-shown for this purpose in Fig. 6.

Ratchet disk 46 is cut away on its upper s The disk 46 is provided on its outer edge with a series of ratchet teeth 48', tour being shown. rlhe several teeth will in all cases be equally spaced apart, and will correspond.

in number with the chambers 39 in cylinder 37, with other parts constructed and arranged as here shown to advance successive chambers of the cylinder to the lilling or to the discharging position by asingle movement of the pawl-carrier 48 and pawl 49. Oscillating motion4 is transmitted to pawlcarrier 48 by a link 52 pin-jointed at one end to an ear projecting from the periphery of said carrier, and attached at its other end to a moving part of the mechanism, as later eX- plained.

lt is of course necessary to provide means for retaining in position and squarely seating the disk 4() and gasket 4l, and applying adequate pressure thereto; but it is likewise desirable that these parts and the inner cylinder 37 be also readily removable from the cylinder 30 for cleaning, repair, or sub stitution. To attain these ends there is provided as shown in Fig. 6, an annularly anged or cup-shaped cap 53, the flange 54 of which encircles and closely iits theekterior of cylinder 30 at its lower end, a groove 55 being formed in the inner wall of said :dange to receive a gasket cr packing to insure a liquid-tight joint. A central opening is formed in the cap 53 Jtor-passage of axial stem 45 of cylinder 37 through it, and the cap may be applied and removed by hand and rwithout the aid of tools.

To apply adequate pressure to cap 53 to seat it squarely upon cylinder 37, and to cause/due embedding of the annular ribs of disk 40 into gasket 4l, there is provided an L-shaped lever 56 which is fulcrumed at the junction'tof its arms in the lower end of a pendant bracket 57 Secured at its upper end to cylinder 30. rlfhe horizontal arm ofi-lever 56 is biturcated to straddle stem 45, and'both arms of the'fork are formed with roundedv `bracket`57 or the cylinder 30. By turning the screw-stem to advance it toward the cylinder 30 it will, on 4obtaining a bearing,

force outward the upright arm of lever 56, thereby elevating the lower arm thereof and applying upward pressure to cap 53 which, however, is free to rock or tip on the und* ed facesof the lever arm and thus toJ adapt itself nicely to the cylinder 37, gasket 41, and disk 40, bringing all. into close and firm bearing contact. By reversing the turning of' the screw the cap can be relieved of pres sure and removed. A vertical key 140 prevents turning of cap 53.

This manner of securing the cap overcomes a serious difficulty experienced With other modes of holding it in place, and insures' tight joints with easy and free move'- ment of the inner cylinder, all cramping and binding being avoided. 'lhis is 'highly important, particularly When-the machine is to be manually operated. To permit cap 53 to seat itself readily upon the cylinder 37, the pipes or tubes 90 connecting nipple 44 with discharge nozzle 12 are made of quite flexible material such as rubber, so that no appreciable resistance to ready and perfect seating shall be offered. (See Figs. 1 and 6).

The waer-measu-rz'ng. device and dzstfjibuter valve.

, ploy a measuring cylinder 59, indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 1 and shownln sectional elevation in Fig. 13, Withinwhich is arranged a free or floating piston or dia# phragm 136, the cylinder 59 being of capacity to."contain the precise Water charge desired, in addition to the piston. This piston 136 is moved alternately in opposite directions by the pressure of the carbonated water on first one face and then the other, as first one and then the other end of measuring cylinder 59 is connected with the carbonatedwater pipe 60, which proceeds from the end of the series of cooling cylinders 26 opposite that.' to which supply pipe 22 4is connected.

To effect such alternating connection of opposite ends of measuring cylinder 59 with. the carbonated-water pipe, there is provided the distributer 27 heretofore mentioned, and

v .illustrated in detail in'Figs. 9 and 14. This is in fact a four-Way valve, and comprises a shell or body 28 having a circular central opening 61, with which communicate at four points in 90degree relation to'one another, four pipes 60,62, 63 vand 64, as indicated in Fig. 9, 60 being the carbonatedfwater pipe, here shown as entering shell or body 28 at itsv upper side. Pipe 62 extends from the right-hand end of measuring cylinder 59 as viewed iniFig. 1, tothe rear side of shell or body 28. Pipe 63 similarly extends from the leftfhand endof measuring cylinder59 to the left-hand side of shell 28, and pipe 64 extends from the lower side of said Shell to the discharge or dispensing nozzle 12. The general arrangement of the pipes 1s best seen 1n F 1g. .5.

)Vitliin the circular and .slightly conical` opening 61 of shell 28 there is arranged a closely fitting, similarly conical, rotatable plug or valve 65, vformed with axial exten sions to carry ratchet wheels or disks 66 may be turned through the medium of one or the other of two reciprocating paWls 67, as later explained. To hold plug or valve in its seat against the pressure of-'the (Figs. 2 and 5), by either of which the valve carbonated liquid, .there is provided a screw 135 passing through va threaded opening in a fixed arm or support, and bearing .at its forward end against the axial extension at the larger end of plug 65 (see Fig. 14). This screw 135 also serves to adjust the plug axially to take up Wear', should this be necessary. Y

The plug 65 has ouropeningsv in its circumference, spaced degrees between centers, said openings being connect-'ed in pairs as seen in Fig. 9, so that by turning the vvalve plug through 90 degrees, pipe 60may be placed in communication with either pipe 62 yor pipe 63, Awhile pipe 64 will be placed in' communication With that one ofpipes 62 or 63 which is not placed in communication with pipe 60. Each quarter turn 'of plug 65 will hence reverse the order of the connections, and cause carbonated liquid vto fioW from pipe 60`through first one and then the" other of pipes 62, 63 to the pipe 64, and thence to the dispensing or discharge nozzle 12. f

In this way carbonated water is delivered to the measuring cylinder 59 at the endfat which piston 136 is at the moment located, and the piston is moved to the opposite end by forcing out at said opposite end of the measuring cylinder the previously contained charge. As a result, the entering and actuatingclra'rge which moves the piston in one direction becomes on the next operation of the mechanism the charge which is delivered -and this action takes place in reverse order'- on .successive depressions of .the actuating lever 29.4 l

The piston 136 has' a 'somewhat free or loose fit Within' .the measuring'cylinder 59,'

and in order to prevent Water passing around said piston and to the outlet toward which the piston has lastmoved, 'the `faces of the piston are each provided with one or more annular V-shaped ribsv 137. These ribs are lso' by the pressurefoi? the entering-water, there- 1 10 i pressed tirmlyinto the face of a gasket 138 .size to permit rodsl 76, 77 to pass freely (of which there is one at each end of said cylinder), and produce an effective seal against thepassage of water around the pis ton and to the proximate outlet.

The' actuating Zc/ver and connections.

The actuating lever 29 is vs een in Figs. 1, 2, 4. and 5. It projects through the front of the casing and is preferably lset to occupy normally an upwardly inclined position, as in Figs. 2 and 4. The lever is carried at its inner end by a rock-shaft 68 journaled in a framework 69 secured to and suspended fromfloor or plate 4, and serving'to support and Aguide other parts presently to be noted.l The spectively. Spring 70 serves to hold lever 29 normally in its elevated position, and to restore it and connected parts tonormal position after its depression and'release.

' vGear 71 meshes with and gives motion to a toothed rack 72, formed upon or secured to a cross-head or sliding block 7 3 which rests and slides upon the lower member of supporting frame 69, as seen in` 1. Crossf head or block 73 moves in a right line to#l ward and from the rear of thel -machine in under side of floor 4 1s a short bracket 86 response to depression andrelease of'lever 29. Itis provided with two horizontal holes 74 and. 75 which are axially alined with two rods 76 and 77, the rear ends of which pass' through and are guided by hangers 78, 79,

and the forward ends of which enter the holesl 74 and 75 of cross-head 73. Each .of said, rods 76, 77 carries anupstanding rod or stem 139, the upper end of which moves/in a vslot in anoverhanging guide and prevents the rods from' turning. The rear or inner ends of rods 76, 77 protrude beyond the hangers 78, 79, and each is provided in rear of its hanger with a collar 80 made fast *at any desired adjustment by a set screw or other fastening. The collars serve to determineand to limit the forward movement of the rods, which is caused by springs 81, here shown of helical form, encircling lsaid rods, and bearing at their innerends against hangers 78, 79, 'and lat their `forward ends against adjustable blocks 82 encircling the rods, and held at vproper adjustment by set screws or equivalent means.

The holes 74, 75 of cross-head v73 are of through them, hence unless some means be provided to effect engagement of the cross,-

' head and the rods, the cross-headv may moveV freely back and forth without imparting case two.

actonel deposited preparatory to obtaining a charge or drink of the beverage, and as choice of Syrups is offered, there must be one coin slot and coin tube for each syrup, in the present One such coin tubeI 82 is shown in Figs. 2 'and 4, and each such tube extends downward at an angle from a coin slit or opening 83 in the front of'the casing to a point just over one of two coin seats 84, 85

4formed in cross-head 7 3, asbest seen in Figs.

4 and 5, said seats extending through the cross-head so that the coin may rest. upon and be carried over the bottom plate or member of supporting frame 69. A coin or token dropped in either coin seat 84 or 85 will bridge the hole 74 or 7 5. and cause the rod 76 or 77 in alinement withthe coin to be .pushed forward as the cross-head advances. while Vthe other rod will remain at rest. Each rod actuates a different syrup dispenser, and each coin slot has associated with'it-.the name or designation of the syrup which will be dispensed in response to insertion of a coin or token therein, and operation of lever 29. 91, 91v indicates two blocks ixedon the respective rods 76, 77.

eachcarrying a roller 92, and each rollerserving when its. carrying rod is advanced,

tovactuate the cup release-and to cause. av

Vcup to be delivered beneath the nozzle 12.

Th syrup dispensers and the distributer valve are actuated as follows:

Attached in any convement way to the (see Fig. 2), to which is pivoted the upper end of a pendulous lever 87 having a vertical slot 88, throughv which passes a stud or taD bolt` 89 carried b v one l.of the two blocks 82 secured to rods 76 and 77. respectively. To the lower end of lever 87 is jointed 'or Divoted one end of link 52, which as heretofore explained, gives oscillatory motion to the an-l I The gde cal/ve.l

The gas valve 23 before referred to is seen in its proper relation to other parts of the apparatus in Figs. 2 and 8, and its details are illustrated in Figs. 19, 11 and 12.

The valve comprises two main parts, a

ixedcylindrical body 93 having passages 94, 95 and 9e within it, extending longitudinally 'thereof todift'erent distances, and each turning outward and opening at the circumv ferencc'of said body; and an oscillating or rocking-valve proper, 97 held in close facewi'se contact Withthat end of body 93'v at whichpassages 94, 95 andl 96 terminate. The ,rocking valve member 97 is of circular form, and is arranged to make close contact with the end face of body 93. It is- Provided on' its face'with annular ribs '98 'andl 99 of V- itsinner -face partway through' toward its.

shape in cross section, concentric with the' common axis of valve member 97 and body' 93,-'said ribs being seated inv complementary grooves'100 and 101 formed -in theend of body 93. By this arrangement `the parts are maintained in axial alinement, and a vclose joint is' secured. between the valve andbody.y

preventing escape vof gas between them and 'thence from 'one passage to another.

Each passage 94, 95 and 96 is-provided` with a nipple 102 at 'its mouth at thefcircumference of cylindrical body 93 to receive couplings'103. by which to connect the pipes 24,v 13 and 25. Pipe -24 connects with. thel nipple of passage 96, as seen in' Fig. 8.and.

more -clearly in Fig..10. The valve member 97 has a central opening104 extending from outer face, 'connected by a radial passage 105 with 'an'inwardly extending branch 106,

-. the lmouthol which stands directly opposite and in register with the mouth of passage 95 when the parts are at rest or in vnormal n position. Gas will then enter by pipe 24 into passage -94, .and by it pass into the 4axial I mouth 104 to passage'-105, by mouth 106 to passagef95, and thence by pipe '13 to water tank 14, the mouth o f passagel 96 being at suchtime opposite a blank or solid portion hence sealed. 1 'If now the radial arm 97 *1 of valve member 97 be moved in the' direction of the arrovsT in of the inner face' of valve memberA 97, and

"i Figs. 2 and ,11,- the mouth or-branch 106'of the radialpassage 105 of valve member 97 will 4be carried from the position indicated .1n saidliguresto the positionindicatedin Fig. 12, where it willregister with the mouth of'p'assage 96, causing' the gas to be cut off from Water tank 14v and delivered by pipe 1 25 to .the vtirst carbonator tank 15. 'Simulta-` neously vwith' this change, avent passage v107 -extending entirely through valve member 97 'from face toface will bev brought by the same movement into register with passage 95', which being at all times connected with the water tank 14 by pipe 13, will lventsaid i tank.

The cylindrical body 93 Aof gas valve 23 is here shown extending within the annular flange of a circular head 108,v carried by a bracket 109 .projecting from a substantial .supporting plate 110.- having a horizontal :tootorl base 111 bolted or otherwise secured member 97.

adjustment can thereby be made Without didS- turbing or throwing out ot' position pipes 13, 24 and 25, or the actuating arm 978L of valve To cause the radial aim 97a of valve niember 97 to be swung in the direction indicated by arrovv in Figs.. 2 and 11, and to return vautomatically but at carefully predetermined speed uor timing in order to affofd time for proper functioning of the beverage-dispensing devices, there is provided the mechanism illustrated 1n Figs. v2 and. 3. This consists of-a lever 115 fulcrumed at a point between its extremities on an arm of the supporting plate 110, said lever being bifurcated at its -upper end and slotted at `its lower end to permit play of a connecting pin or stud carried by the radialarm 97@ of valve member 97. -The two arms or branches of the upper end of lever 115 stand directly in thepat-hs ward whenever either rod is advanced or moved inward, and the lower endof said lever swinging in the reverse Jdirection, carries vwith itthe radial varm -97a and thereby rocks the valve member 97v in t-he direction indicated by arrow. l. To return the lever 115 and valve member 97 tol normal position,

said lever is-provided with a rod or arm 116 carrying at its free` end a weight 117 tendof the two rods 76, 77, as seen in Figs. 2, 5 and 8; hence the vlever 115 is forced backing always to swing lever 115 about its fulcrum or pivot, and to hold its upper arms against rods 76, 77 or whichever one may be for the .moment advanced.

To govern the speed or timing'of the movement of the parts just described, I employ a vpneumatic check or dashpot, comprising a hollow shell or cylinder l118 open at one end and closed at the' other except for a vent presently described: and a piston 119 mov- .ablewithin said cylinder and connected by a bar or pit-man 120 with the stud or pin which connects lever 115 and valve arm 97 (see Figs. v2 and 8). Thus arranged, the piston will be forced into cylinder 118 as arm 97a swings in the direction of the arrow, Figs'. 2- and 11, but with little or no resistance from'the contained air (owing to an out-- wardlv-opening` vent valve 121 inthe head of cylinder 118, supplemented by` a second and smaller vent 122, controlled and regulated by a needle valve 123 (see Figi) *Onl the reverse movement, however, the piston and connected parts are retarded, owing to the seating of valve 121 and to the small capacity of vent 122, which can be reduced to a minimum through adjustment of the needle valve.

Full-throw ale/vice.

In Fig. 4 I have shown means to compel a full throw of actuating lever 29 if it be carried far enough to deliver a cup or a charge therefor, thus preventing a second operation without return of the lever to normal position and introduction of another coinr or token. This comprises a' disk 124 made fastto rock-shaft 68 vwhich constitutes the fulcrum of actuating lever 29, said disk being provided with peripheral notches 125 adapted to receive theend of either of two pawls 126, 127 carried by a rocking pawlcarrier 128 pivotally supported on the frame 69. The pawl-carrier is rocked on its pivot to cause. first one and then the other pawl to enter the notches of disk 124, by horns or spurs 129, 130 projecting from the periphery of disk 124, and is held in either of its two positions by the co-action of a V-shaped projection 131 on the pawl-carrier, and a V- shaped rib 132 of a spring 133 made fast at one end to frame 69.

When lever 29 returns to its normal position after operation, as indicated in Fig. 4, horn 130 bears against pawl 127 and carries projection 131 to the right of rib 132, whereupon spring 133 exerts its pressure to maintain the pawl-carrier 128 in such adjustment, though allowing sulicient play thereof to permit the pawl to ride from one notch to another as disk 124 is rotated, and thus to prevent retrograde movement of lever 2.9.

As the lever nears completion o-f its full actuating movement, and just after the beverage charge is delivered, horn 129 rides over pawl 126 and rocks pawl-carrier 128 far enough to reverse thepositions of projection 131 and rib 132, causing spring 133 to act to press pawl 126 into engaging relation with notches 125, and to withdraw pawl 127 and maintain it out of such relation.

Fig. 4 also shows a plate 134 carried by cross-head 73, and serving when the crossvhead moves forward with afcoin in pocket 84, to prevent a second coin escaping from the coin tube 82 until the cross-head again moves outward to its normal position.

It is manifest that by providing the upper end of lever 115 with a greater number of arms, it may be operated by a greater number of rods such as 76 and 77, associated with like dispensing devices.

In practice it `is preferred to combine in the one structure the several devices above set forth and illustrated,'all of which cooperate and are necessary to the attainment of a given end,-the preparation and delivery into a suitable receptacle of a carbonated and flavored beverage. It is obvious, however, that omiss1ons may be made if a cheaper and simpler machine be dechnes is employed, a carbonator common to several or all of the machines of the group may be employed, and this may be external to the casings of said machines or any' of them.. It may also in some cases be desir` able to omit the carbonator and use water which has been previously carbonated, which in many cases is delivered in tanks or containers from a central charging station.

The drawings show the machine provided with a manual actuating lever, but it is obvious that where numeroussales are to be made, particularly where a considerable number of machines -are grouped, it may be desirable to actuate 'i the mechanism byv power after the proper coin or token is de-y posited. Itv is hence to be understood that any suitable form or type of motor may be employed, suitable connection being m'ade between the same and lever 29, which in that event may or may not extend .beyond the casing of the machine. j

The usual sanitary safeguards'as to material or lining of containers, pipes and passages throughout the apparatus, to prevent chemical or other action injurious to the beverage delivered, are of course contemplated. No claim is made herein to coin actuation or to coin control apparatus per se, nor broadly to the use of a coin or token to con'- neet operative parts, such being old and well-known.

Themechanism herein illustrated for preventing retrograde movement of them-ain lever 29 after it has been moved slightly in actuating direction, is rnot specifically claim-ed by me.` Such mechanism merely illustrates one of a variety of known devices which may be employed for the purpose. 'So' far as I am aware no one has heretofore equipped a vending ordispensing apparatus with means for preventing premature retrograde movement of a main actuating lever. .Such premature return movement should be prevented lest only a partial charge be deli\ ered, and also to guard against a second actuation of said lever and delivery of a charge without performing prior to such second actuation, a prescribed act or condition of use.

No claim is made herein to thesyrupmeasuring 4devices per se, the samelhaving been divided out of this application and embodied in divisional application Serial No. 223,956, filed October 4, 1927, pursuant to oiiicial requirement. V Having described my invention, I -claim 1. In a liquid-dispensing machine, a casv` ing comprising upright corner post, horizontaly members between said posts and forming' supports for floors; and a floor or plate resting upon said connecting members `and carrying the principal operative mechaquickly removed with the mechanismassembled on it, for inspection or repair of said mechanism, and be spection or repair.

3. In a liquid-dispensing apparatus, the combination oja water-tank; a carbonator replaced after such infor the water; a gas valve for delivering gas alternately to the water-tank and to the carbonatcr; a syrup tank; a water-measuring device; a syrup-measuring device; a cup container; means foractuating a devloe for delivering cups from said container one at 'a time; means for actuating the gas valve,

thdmeasuring devices, and the cup-delivery mechanism; a mainactuating lever; and connections between said lever and the measuring devices, cup-delivery device, gas valve,

-and actuating lever, lwhereby all are caused to function when the lever is actuated.

4. In a liquid-dispensing apparatus, the combination of a water-tank; a carbonator for the water; a valve for delivering gas alternately to the water-tank 'and to the carb'onator; a syrup tank; a water-measuring device; a syrup-measuring device; means for actuating the measuring devices and the gas valve; a main" actuating lever; and intermecombination of a water-tank; a source o diate connecting` means-between said meas'- uring devices, gas valve, and said actuating lever, whereby all are caused to function when the lever is actuated. A.'

5. In a liquid-dispensing apparatus, the

gas; a carbonator for the water; a gas valve for directing gas alternately to the watertankand to the carbonator; a water-measuring device; a syrup tank; a syrup-measuring device; a cu container; means for actuating a device or delivering cups one at a time from the container; means for mdivldually actuating the gas valve, the measuring devices, and the cup delivery device; a main actuating lever; and connections between the' separate actuating devices and the main ac tuating lever, whereby. allot said individual actuating' devices are caused to function' in proper' time and sequence .in response to actuationv of saidlever.

6. In a liquid-dispensing apparatus, thel combination of a water-tank; a gas container; a carbonator for the water; a hgas valve for directingv gas alternately to` thewater tank and to thecarbonator; a watei'-, measuring device; a syrup tank; afcfsyrup# measuring device; a cup container; means for actuating `a device Afor delivering cups. one at a time from the container; means for individually actuating the gas valve, the measuring devices, andthe cup. delivery. device; a main actuating lever; a cross head movable by said lever and provided with an l from, the mouth of the opening in:l the cross head. A l.

`7. In a. liquid dispensing apparatus, the

combination of a'water-tnkga carbonator for the Water; a valve for delivering gas alternately to the water-tank and to the car.

bonator; a syrup tank; a water-measuring device; a syrup-measuring device means for actuating the measuring-.devices and the gas valve; a main actuating lever; means for preventing retrograde.movement of said ac tuating lever after its actuating movement is begun and before completion of said movement; and intermediate connecting means between said measuring devices, gas valve and actuating lever, wherebyall are caused to function when the lever is actuated'.

8. A n apparatus for dispensing beverages, comprising in combination with suitable dispensingdevices, a gas -valve .consisting of a body 93 having Apassages 94, 95 and 96, and a valve member 97 having a passage 105 with mouths 104 and 106 opening toward the body S23/and havlng a vent opening 107 entirely through it, one of the, parts 93, 97 being movable relatively to the 'other to bring the'central gas passagey 94 alternately into communication with passage 95 leading to a water-tank and with passage 96 leading to a carbonator, and to vent passage 95 to the atmosphere when communication is estabf lished between passages 94and 96; a carbonatedwater supply pipe a .water-measuring device comprisingl a cylinder and a. oating piston therein;'a delivery nozzle; and a distibuter consisting of a, valve body or shell and four pipes entering said shell in 90 degree relation, one of said pipes communicating with a source 'ofcarbonated' liquid, two others communicatmg respectively with opposite ends of the water-measuring cylinder, and the fourth pipe communicat- 'ingwith the delivery nozzle.

9; In an apparatus for dispensing a carbonated beverage, the combination of a main Water-tank; a carbonator-communicating withl said tank; a source of carbonio acid gas; agas valve for alternately venting the water-tank to the atmosphere and directing the gas to the carbonator, and sealing the tank tothe atmosphere and directing the gas tothe water-tank; and means for, retarding the movement ofthe gas valve in one direction. l A 10. In' an .apparatus4 for vending a; carbonated beverage, the combination of a main water-tank; a carbonator communicating therewith a' source of carbonio acid gas; a valve for alternately venting the water-tank to the atmosphere vto permit inflow'o water` 11. A bevera' e-dispen'sing apparatus,

comprising a car onatlng-gas container; avv water-container; means fori deliverln'g gas from the gas container to the water; a beverage' delivery nozzle; a cup container; means for actuating a device for delivering a cup Jfrom the cup container to a position i beneath the nozzle; -means for delivering measured. quantities of the carbonated water to the nozzle5va syrup container; means for delivering measured quantities of s rup fromfthesyrup-container to the nozz e; a main actuating lever; and-'means interme diate the nozzle andthe actuating lever,

whereby upon actuation of the 'lever 'a cup ,1s

`and the gas valve.

delivered to a point beneath the nozzle,'gas is delivered to the water 'in the water container, a charge of carbonated water and a chargeof syrup are delivered to the delivery nozzle, and the carbonated water and `syrup are delivered from vthe nozzle to, and are mingled in, the cup.

l2.' A beverage-dispensing apparatus, comprising a carbonating-gas container; a water container; means for delivering gas from the gas vcontainer to the water; a beverage delivery nozzle; a cup container;

.means for actuating a device for delivering a cup'froln the cup container to a position beneath the nozzle; means for deliver-ing measured quantities of the ycarbonated water to the nozzle; a syrup container; means for delivering measured quantities of syrup from the syrup-container to the nozzle; a main actuating lever; and means intermediateV the nozzle and the actuating lever,-

whereby upon actuation of the lever, a`cup is delivered to 'ia/point beneath the nozzle, gas is delivered to the water in the water container, a charge'of carbonated water and a charge of' syrup arel delivered to the delivery nozzle, and the carbonated water and syrup are deliveredfrom the nozzle to, and are mingled in, the cup. l13. In a carbonated-li uid-dispensing machine, the combination o a water supply; a

gas valve for delivering gas to said water;

1 a lever for actuating said valve, provided lwith a plurality of arms; a plurality of vsyrup containers, each provided with a device forn deliverlng a measured charge of syrup; a plurality of rods, each connected with one or another of the syrup-delivery devices and each in alinement with one or another armvof the gas lever; and a main actuatingjlever adapted to be connected with'and to actuate any selected one of said rods at will` and thus to actuate simultaneously any Aselected syrup-delivery device In testimony whereof. I have name tol this specification JOHN L. PATTERSON.`

signed my 

